About Valerie

Pennsylvania state Rep. Valerie Gaydos is a recognized leader in advancing a more efficient, transparent and accountable state government. Known for her accessibility, strong work ethic, and practical, bipartisan approach to solving problems, she is committed to making Pennsylvania a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Drawing on decades of experience as an entrepreneur and business leader, Rep. Gaydos brings private-sector expertise to public service, focusing on policies that strengthen Pennsylvania's economy, encourage innovation, create jobs and improve government performance.

Throughout her service in the House of Representatives, Rep. Gaydos has successfully authored and enacted numerous bipartisan laws. Her legislative accomplishments include measures to lower prescription drug costs; increase government transparency; combat waste, fraud and abuse; strengthen protections against human trafficking; enhance Pennsylvania's Megan's Law; and advance efforts to modernize and improve state government. She has also championed legislation to reduce the size of the General Assembly and has introduced numerous initiatives to improve affordability, public safety and economic opportunity for Pennsylvanians.

During the current legislative session, Rep. Gaydos serves on the House Professional Licensure Committee, the House Commerce Committee, and as secretary of the House Liquor Control Committee and the House Communications and Technology Committee.

Since taking office, Rep. Gaydos has successfully secured more than $125 million in state funding for infrastructure, public safety, community development, economic growth and quality-of-life projects throughout the 44th Legislative District. In the current legislative session, she has introduced 16 and prime-sponsored 145 legislative proposals and has helped enact six bipartisan laws.

To date, four of her bills have been signed into law, including Act 77 of 2024, which will address critical issues in the pharmaceutical industry and provide much-needed protections for independent pharmacies and their customers. Her other laws include: Act 38 of 2022, which will allow the state to use the expertise of the Pennsylvania National Guard to respond to cyber crises and subvert cyber intrusion; Act 45 of 2021, which will better protect the victims of human trafficking; and Act 67 of 2020, which will increase transparency and consumer choice in the prescription drug marketplace.
Rep. Gaydos was appointed to serve on the America250PA Commission, helping Pennsylvania prepare for the nation's historic 250th anniversary. She also serves as co-chair of the House Life Sciences Caucus, chair of the House Artificial Intelligence Opportunity Task Force, and founder and chair of the House Cybersecurity Caucus. In addition, she is an active member of several issue-focused caucuses, including the Emerging Technologies Caucus, Homeowners Association (HOA) Caucus, and the Cancer Caucus.

Before entering public office, Rep. Gaydos founded an information publishing company in 1994 that provided financial market data to subscribers nationwide. She later became an investor in numerous successful startup companies and earned recognition as a leading entrepreneur, angel investor and advocate for small businesses. Her work has helped emerging companies secure investment, create jobs and show growth across the United States. She also made history as the first woman elected president of the Pennsylvania Angel Network.

In recognition of her unwavering support for Pennsylvania's small business community, Rep. Gaydos has received multiple consecutive "Guardian of Small Business" awards from the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). She was also appointed by the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to serve on the Small Business Council within the Department of Community and Economic Development, where she advises on policies and regulations affecting small businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

Rep. Gaydos was born in Leetsdale and attended both Quaker Valley schools and Sewickley Academy before graduating from Dickinson College. She currently lives in the Quaker Valley with her rescue dog, Annie, who received her AKC Good Citizenship award.